Ben-hur is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves
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As reported on Screendaily last week, production is underway in Rome on Paramount Pictures and MGM’s retelling of the classic adventure starring Jack Huston in the title role.

Filming has ended in Matera in the south of Italy and will take up residence for four months on Cinecittà Stages and Cinecittà World’s Theme Park back lot, both of which will double for Jersualem. The film is set to open in the Us on February 26, 2016.

The film returns to the heart of Lew Wallace’s epic novel and follows a falsely accused nobleman who survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him. Both must come to choose between retribution or forgiveness.

If you were looking forward to seeing an updated version of the classic Ben-Hur story on the big screen, then you'll be happy to hear that principal photography has officially started on the epic, with a more full cast last revealed as well. Come inside to see.

I'm honestly not sure what to think about a Ben-Hur remake. Done correctly, it could be pretty cool and a great way to introduce a new generation to this story. It also has a good chance of sucking, but that's the risk you take with any remake. Either way, I tend to hold off judgement until I've seen footage, which we've just taken a big step towards seeing as filming has officially started:

Another key character has been cast in MGM’s upcoming Ben-Hur remake. Danish actor Pilou Asbæk, who had a small role in Lucy and previously stunned in the barely-seen Danish film A Hijacking (one of my top films of 2013), has joined the production in the role of Judean emperor Pontius Pilate.

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the film is said to have a message of forgiveness and Jesus Christ appears several times in the piece. Ben-Hur sees the man preach while in Jerusalem and later sees his crucifixion.

In 1959, William Wyler adapted the book unto the big screen; the film went on to win 11 Oscars. Lately, Hollywood has shown a great deal of interest in religious, bible-based films. Last year we saw Noah, along with Exodus: Gods and Kings.

Jack Huston is starring as the Jewish prince betrayed into slavery by his onetime friend Messala (Toby Kebbell). He soon fights his way to freedom and vengeance.

Unlike the previous film adaptation, this one will be more faithful to the original Lew Wallace novel which features scenes of Jesus appearing several times. Ben-Hur sees the man preach while in Jerusalem and later sees his crucifixion.

Santoro would play Jesus Christ, who figures in several key scenes in the film about the titular Jewish Prince, played by Jack Huston, who is forced into slavery by his former friend, Messala (Toby Kebbell).

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The project began taking shape in 2013 when MGM acquired Clarke’s script, an adaptation of Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.” That story focuses on the years prior to those portrayed the 1959 film, centering on the characters Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem, and his childhood friend Messala, who returns home as a commanding officer of the Roman legions and betrays the Ben-Hur family.

Having played the bizarre giant god-emperor Xerxes in 300 and its sequel Rise Of An Empire, Rodrigo Santoro is now in line to play another religious icon. He's negotiating to be one Jesus of Nazareth in MGM and Paramount's upcoming Ben-Hur remake. Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch, Wanted) is directing. Yes indeed, ladies and gentlemen: Timur Bekmambetov has found Jesus. Thank you, we'll be here all week.In the 1959 film, Jesus shows up towards the end. Charlton Heston's Ben-Hur takes the ailing Tirzah (Cathy O'Donnell) to be healed, but they arrive too late. Jesus' trial, presided over by Pontius Pilate (Frank Thring) has already begun, and Ben-Hur then witnesses the events of the crucifixion. Jesus was played on this occasion by the opera singer Claude Heater, although his name doesn't appear in the credits.Taken once again from Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel (which actually carries on significantly beyond Jesus' execution), the
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The historical epic chronicles the blood feud between Judah Ben-Hur (Huston) and Messala that erupts when Messala (Kebbell) condemns his childhood friend to slavery and certain death aboard a Roman warship.

Black-D’Elia will take the role of Tirzah, Judah’s sister who becomes quietly political when the Roman Empire takes control of Jerusalem. She is imprisoned alongside her mother and both contract leprosy before Judah returns home to free his family and avenge them all.

She’s been seen on screens big and small in the likes of Skins, Gossip Girl and The Immigrant, but Sofia Black-D’Elia is preparing to take a step into blockbuster territory, securing the role of Tirzah in Ben-Hur.Taken once again from Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel, the new version aims to chronicle the younger days of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) and Messala (Toby Kebbell), best friends growing up in Jerusalem. Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince and Messala the son of a Roman tax collector who is packed off to be educated in Rome for five years. Upon his return, Messala mocks our hero for his religion. After an accident he pins on his friend, he has him sold into slavery, while imprisoning his mother and sister (a role that Olivia Cooke was circling until recently, but that Black-D’Elia will now fill). Cue a quest for revenge
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